Spotlight: Senior Fraud Awareness Day May 15
Senior Fraud Awareness Day brings awareness to scams that target older adults. On average older adults lose more money to fraud but are the least likely age group to report that loss. Education and resources are key to keeping older Americans in our community safe from financial exploitation and scams.
Here are some scams targeting seniors:
- Government imposter scams: Fraudsters claim to work for a government organization such as social security, the IRS, or Medicare
- Fake prize, sweepstakes, and lottery scams: While claiming the victim won a prize, scammers ask for personal or financial information to “verify” them
- Tech support scams: Pretending to be a company such as Microsoft, Apple or Norton, scammers ask for access to computer devices, online banking profiles or bank accounts
- Grandparent scams: Fraudsters pretend to be a grandchild in need of emergency funds after a car accident, surgery or arrest
How to protect yourself:
- Never give sensitive personal information over the phone
- Check bank statements and credit card statements for charges you did not authorize
- Keeping security software on your computer and smartphone up to date
- Never transfer money to a stranger or purchase a gift card to pay someone over the phone
- If someone is urging you to send money immediately, slow the situation down and call your bank
Trending: Tech Support Scam
Scammers often claim to be legitimate tech companies like Microsoft, Apple or Norton claiming they want to fix your computer or stop a virus. These tech support scams may start as a simple popup, phone call or text but can quickly spiral out of control. While pretending to help fraudsters look for access to their victim’s computer, bank or personal information they may request funds by cash, wire, gift card, Paypal, Zelle or even bitcoin.
While tech support scams are common, there are ways to keep yourself safe if someone attempts it on you.
Here’s how to protect yourself from a Tech Support scam:
- Do not call a provided phone number in an email, text or pop-up warning
- Never give access to your computer or online banking profile to someone you don’t know
- Never transfer your money at the direction of someone you don’t know
- Do not share a verification codes with strangers
It is best practice to treat any tech support call you don’t expect as a scam. If you are concerned about a virus or threat to your computer, it is best practice to contact a security company directly using contact information from their website or product packaging.
Trending: FTC Impersonation Scam
Scammers are all too willing to impersonate known organizations (such as the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC) to convince victims to send them money or personal information, sometimes going so far as to use names of actual FTC members. Often they offer a threat or a prize, claiming your identity has been linked with crime or that you’ve won a federally supervised sweepstakes. Both are scams designed to make victims send money out of either a fear of arrest or a desire for wealth.
Here’s what to know:
- The FTC will never demand money or offer a prize
- The FTC will never ask for personal information
- The FTC will never threaten to arrest you
If someone calls, texts, emails or send you a direct message on social media saying they’re from the FTC demanding you send them money; you are being scammed. Do not pay or give them personal information. Hang up or delete the message.
If you believe you have been the victim of fraud, contact our Customer Care Center immediately at (617) 969-4300 and report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.